Mikel Arteta has spearheaded his side to successive 2-0 wins against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa, with the latter seen as a key result after Unai Emery’s side did the double over them last season.
Brighton, on the other hand, have been impressive under new boss Fabian Hurzeler, as they topped off a 3-0 win against Everton away from home with a last-gasp 2-1 victory against Manchester United.
Arsenal will look to flex their muscles against a Brighton side riding on a high after their win against the Red Devils.
And Paul Merson believes his former team will make it three wins out of three in the Premier League before the international break.
Paul Merson thinks Arsenal will get one over Brighton
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta during a training session at Sobha Realty Training Centre on August 23, 2024 in London Colney, England.
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
While Merson believes it won’t be easy for Arsenal, he expects them to get the job done ahead of important games against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City.
“It’s a big test for Arsenal this weekend,” Merson wrote in his column for Sportskeeda.
“Brighton have enjoyed a flying start to the new season and considering Arsenal’s fixtures after the international break, the pressure will be on them to deliver here.
“Mikel Arteta’s men face both Tottenham and Manchester City away from home after the break and a win on Saturday is an absolute necessity in my opinion.”
He reserved special praise for Hurzeler for spearheading Brighton to six points out of six to start the new season, although he believes Arsenal will win 2-1 as they have enough firepower to get the job done away from home.
Merson continued: “Fabian Hurzeler has enjoyed the perfect start as the new Brighton boss. The young manager secured a statement win over Manchester United last time out.
“And I totally expect them to make it hard for Arsenal at the Emirates. Ultimately, I do feel the Gunners will have just enough to prevail and come away with the win.”
Arsenal need a win ahead of important run
With games against Tottenham and Manchester City on the horizon after the international break, Arsenal need to get three more points to continue their perfect start to the season.
Merson said last week that Arsenal could be out of the title race by October if they falter in this run, indicating that they are in the middle of a tough run of fixtures.
The Gunners are looking to finally get their hands on the Premier League title this season and can’t afford any slip-ups so early on.
Games against Tottenham and Man City will undoubtedly prove to be difficult, but if they have nine points from three games heading into that run, it would allow them some margin for error.
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